Breakthrough Moment in a Fourth Grade Classroom

A photograph captured a transformative moment in a fourth-grade classroom where SEAL Program Coordinator Jennifer Clinkscales was leading a demo lesson. The day began with Jennifer’s warm and welcoming approach, as she invited each student to introduce themselves. As the introductions made their way around the room, there seemed to be a soft tension in the air when Jennifer reached one student. Her classmates quickly spoke up, “Oh, she’s not going to answer. She doesn’t talk in class, so you can just ignore her.”

“Oh, she’s not going to answer. She doesn’t talk in class, so you can just ignore her.”

Jennifer felt the weight of those words. Instead of moving on, she approached the student with a warm smile and a gentle touch on the student's shoulder. Softly, Jennifer asked for the student’s name. The young girl, clearly nervous, whispered her reply. Jennifer acknowledged this small victory, and moved on with the day's activity, determined to build more of these small moments of connection.

It became clear to Jennifer that this student was likely a newcomer—learning English and still trying to adjust to the new environment. Her classmates’ attempt to shield her was perhaps a protective gesture, but it had resulted in her exclusion from participating. Jennifer knew this was the exact dynamic she wanted to change.

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Encouraging Engagement with English Language Learner Strategies

Determined to create more opportunities for connection, Jennifer introduced interactive activities designed to help students feel comfortable and included. She implemented a “draw and label” activity, followed by a think-pair-share exercise, asking students to discuss their preferred modes of transportation with a partner. This structured approach allowed the quiet student to ease into engagement one-on-one, offering a safe, low-pressure environment to begin building her confidence.

As the lesson progressed, Jennifer noticed a dramatic change: the once-silent girl was now actively participating in discussions and even speaking first with her partner. This shift illustrated the power of SEAL’s strategies, where intimate and structured interaction fosters comfort and a willingness to engage. Discreetly, Jennifer moved closer, smiling in encouragement as the student shared, before moving on to affirm the contributions of other students.

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Building Connections in Small Group

Bringing the group back together, Jennifer prompted the class to discuss their ideas. To the surprise of her classmates and teacher alike, the previously shy English learner raised her hand first. A visible gasp rippled through the room as her classmates recognized this breakthrough.

Her voice, despite a heavy accent, rang out clearly, filled with newfound confidence. The pride and excitement on her face as she sat up straighter was undeniable. Jennifer learned that this was the first time the girl had spoken in class all year, having gone two or three months without uttering a word.

It was a breakthrough that day—not just for the girl but for the whole class. Jennifer provided more than a class lesson, but gave voice to someone who had been silenced, and in doing so, she forever changed how that classroom would see and include each other.

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Empowering Student Voices with the SEAL Approach

Jennifer Clinkscales’s demo lesson exemplified SEAL’s commitment to creating inclusive, welcoming classroom environments. By prioritizing connection and engagement, she fostered not only a transformative experience for one student but also cultivated a lasting sense of community among the entire class. Through the power of an intentional strategy, Jennifer helped give voice to a student who needed just a bit of encouragement and a welcoming environment, forever changing how that classroom would see and include one another.

“I saw that class later that school year… That student came up and gave me a hug, and started telling me what they were reading, doing a narrative input, and telling me about the story.”
—Jennifer Clinkscales, SEAL Program Coordinator

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SEAL’s Holistic Approach to Transforming Education for Multilingual Learners

At SEAL, our evidence-based approach empowers multilingual learners by centering language and culture at all levels of education. Culturally and linguistically responsive teaching is at the core of our work, creating pathways to more inclusive, rigorous, and engaging classrooms. Our approach supports lifelong benefits for our students, blending academic rigor with an appreciation of students' cultural identities and family languages.

Our mission is simple yet impactful: to prepare all English Learners and Dual Language Learners in California to learn, thrive, and lead. Guided by our core values, we nurture the intellectual and linguistic brilliance of young children, honor family culture as a vital part of education, and support teachers with professional development rooted in evidence-based instructional practices. We partner with preschools, elementary schools, districts, and educational stakeholders across California, fostering environments where culturally and linguistically diverse children can excel.

Through our educator practice, experiential research, and policy and advocacy efforts, SEAL drives impactful change across California’s educational landscape. We work closely with district leaders, teachers, and policymakers, advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of multilingual learners.

To learn more about our work and our efforts to develop more inclusive, empathetic, and effective education programs, you can see our approach, resources, case studies, or contact us for more info.